How F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Helps Make Your Next Mercedes-AMG Sports Car Better
The new racing Mercedes-AMG F1, W12, will affect road cars.
This week, Mercedes-AMG unveiled its new Formula One rival, the W1, and the brand hopes it will not only give Lewis Hamilton a record-breaking eighth world title, but also help improve the performance of next-generation AMG vehicles.
The extended AMG branding on the W12 is one of the most obvious differences from last year's race car and speaks to a closer collaboration between AMG road car engineers in Affalterbach, Germany and F1 engineers and designers at the F1 teams in Brackley. chassis) and Brixworth (engine) in the UK.
AMG is on the cusp of launching a host of new hybrid models, starting with the F1-inspired AMG One hypercar but soon followed by the V4 plug-in hybrid 8-door GT coupe under the new AMG E Performance. brand.
AMG can take technical knowledge from F1 and apply it to road cars, as evidenced by the new electric turbocharger that will debut in the next-generation C63 with a new four-cylinder engine. But the F1 team's expertise in modeling technology, as well as high-performance battery and thermal management, are all areas AMG hopes to capitalize on.
“The technical challenges in Formula One are huge and therefore represent an exciting challenge for an engineer,” explained Jochen Hermann, board member of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“In the elite class of motorsport, current hybrid powertrains are not only extremely powerful, but also have amazing thermal efficiency – characteristics that we also pursue in our production models. Through close sharing, we are able to bring rich Formula 1 experience and technology to our high-performance road hybrids.”
Hamilton is on his way to becoming the most successful Formula 1 driver in history.
AMG is also looking to lean more heavily on Hamilton's high profile to help promote its cars, with the newly knighted driver appearing in ads for E Performance models.
Hamilton is well on his way to becoming the most successful F1 driver in history - another world title would see him surpass Michael Schumacher's record of seven. He also has the most wins, 95, and should comfortably hit three figures this season if Mercedes-AMG continues to dominate the sport's hybrid era.
Aston Martin is back
After a 61-year absence, Aston Martin returns to F1.
Mercedes-AMG wasn't the only team to hide their 2021 Formula 1 rival this week. Aston Martin has returned to F1 after a 61-year absence.
Under new owner Lawrence Stroll, the British brand has taken over what was known as the Racing Point team for 2020, replacing its pink color scheme with classic British racing green. Stroll believes Formula 1 racing will help rebuild the brand as a serious competitor to Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG following a slump in road car sales.
Stroll hired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to lead the team and become Aston Martin's brand ambassador to give the brand additional appeal. The second car will be driven by Stroll's son, Lance.
The new car is officially known as the AMR21 and will be powered by a Mercedes-AMG V1.6 6-liter turbo-hybrid powertrain as part of a close collaboration between the British and German brands.
Aston Martin CEO (and former AMG boss) Tobias Moers believes F1 will bring a number of significant benefits to the automaker.
“The Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team will have a far-reaching positive impact on the Aston Martin brand, our culture, and Aston Martin road car design and technology,” he said.
“Our return to Formula One will positively and profoundly impact every employee and, above all, the journey of our customers around the world; and will help us bring a focused and agile Formula One mindset to the entire Aston Martin business.”
Alpine buys Renault
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said the move to F1 is important to building the brand's image.
French performance manufacturer Alpine has grand plans to become an all-electric rival for cars like Mercedes-AMG and Porsche, and it also wants to become F1 world champion.
As part of Renault's ambitious plans for Alpine, the company renamed its F1 the traditional French Racing Blue and again hired two-time champion Fernando Alonso to lead the team, replacing Australian Daniel Ricciardo. The Spaniard has not raced in Formula One since 1, taking a two-year hiatus to compete in events including the Indianapolis 2018 and the Dakar Rally to revive his passion for racing.
Alpine's newly appointed CEO Laurent Rossi said the move to Formula 1 is important to building the brand's image as a performance car maker.
“This is an important milestone for Alpine as it positions itself as a brand at the forefront of Groupe Renault innovation,” Rossi explained.
“Alpine naturally finds its place in the high standards, prestige and performance of Formula 1 and we look forward to the debut of the A521 piloted by our drivers, two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon.
“This year our goal is clear – to continue the momentum gained last year and fight for the podium. Our long-term vision is to see the Alpine name on the top step of the podium in Formula One.
“Motorsport is in our DNA and it is time for Alpine colors to race and compete at the pinnacle of Formula One racing.”
Alonso did not attend the team's virtual launch and initial testing of the new A521 car after he was recently involved in a bicycle accident during practice. But he is reportedly on track to be fully ready for the start of the season.
“I am thrilled to be back in Formula 1 and to be part of the Alpine F1 team that will open a new chapter in the sport,” he said. "I've been working hard to prepare for racing in Formula 1 and my goal is to attack from the start."
